So much paper...

I have been making lots of cards with the Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper, but I still have some leftovers. For today's SSINKspiration post, I thought that I could use some of my holiday paper on a birthday card. I love the versatility of double-sided pattern paper.

Many of Stampin' Up!'s Holiday 2015 products are will be retiring soon. Some items are on sale now and only available while supplies last.

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It's Hard to Choose a Favorite

For today's SSINKspiration post, we chose a favorite Designer Series Paper. It's hard to choose a favorite! I chose the Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper Stack since it is so fun to mix the patterns. It also coordinates well with the Cherry on Top Washi tape and multiple stamp sets. This is fun paper to add to your collection!

Here is my card:

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Butterflies

I love using butterflies on my cards, and for this card I really wanted to focus on the beautiful, new Mint Macaron color.

Tip: The Stampin' Up! bundles are a great deal, and I will list two of my favorites below in the supply list.

Head over to the SSINKspiration blog to see more fabulous ways to use butterflies on your cards!

Supplies Used:
Butterfly Basics bundle
Big Shot
Decorative dots embossing folder
2015-2017 In Color bundle
Elegant Butterfly punch
In Color envelope paper
Build a Birthday stamp set
Whisper White card stock

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Crazy About You

I am impressed with the versatility of the Crazy About You stamp set and the Hello You thinlit dies. When it was time to make a card for today's SSINKpiration blog post, I was not sure where to start. I narrowed my options down to a birthday card and broke into the Cherry on Top 8x8 Paper Pad.

Tip: I love finding craft supplies that give me a lot of "bang for my buck" since I have a limited craft budget. I like the value of the new Envelope Paper. I used the In Color paper to die cut the word for this card, and it is also great for layering on cards. The Whisper White baker's twine is another versatile supply for a great price.

Supplies Used:
Crazy About You bundle
Big Shot
Cherry on Top 8x8 paper pack
In Color Envelope Paper
Whisper White card stock
Watermelon Wonder Dotted Lace trim
Whisper White baker's twine
Cucumber Crush ink pad
Regals candy dots

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Oldie but Goodie

Even with all of my excitement about new Stampin' Up! products, it is still fun to use some of the "Oldie but Goodie" stamp sets that have been around for a while. For this card, I chose to use the Lovely as a Tree and Petite Pairs stamp sets. Head over to the SSINKpiration blog to see more of our "Oldie but Goodie" stamp sets.

Tip: For the tree I inked the entire image with a Cucumber Crush ink pad and then I used the brush tip of a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker to go over the trunk. You can layer the darker inks over the lighter inks from Stampin' Up! without damaging your ink pads or markers.

Supplies Used:
Lovely as a Tree & Petite Pairs stamp sets
Cucumber Crush, Tip Top Taupe, & Crushed Curry ink pads
Cucumber Crush, Tip Top Taupe, & Whisper White card stock
Cherry on Top Washi Tape
Regals Candy Dots
Stamping Sponge
Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker
Big Shot & Circles Framelits

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Butterfly Basics Birthday Card

We are featuring birthday cards today on the SSINKspiration blog. You can never have too many birthday cards on hand! Today I have a feminine birthday card to share.

I recently ordered the Butterfly Basics Bundle including the stamp set and framelit dies and am wondering why I did not order it sooner. I mainly wanted the dies, and I really love using this stamp set. Here is a birthday card that I made with this beautiful and versatile stamp set:

Supplies Used:
Butterfly Basics stamp set
Whisper White card stock
Blushing Bride, Watermelon Wonder & Cucumber Crush ink pads
Watermelon Wonder & Cucumber Crush markers
Blushing Bride ink refill & Stampin' Spritzer
Watermelon Wonder dotted lace trim
Stamping Sponge
Big Shot & Oval Framelits

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Skating By

I couldn't resist the new Skating By stamp set since since it includes fun images to color of a boy, guitar, and more. (At least my son does not have a skateboard yet!) Here is the first card that I made with this set:

Tip: If you still have the Blush Blossom marker that Stampin' Up! retired, it is a good option for some skin tones. I watercolored with Blushing Bride on this one, but it is a bit too pink. If I can come up with some good options for skin tones, then I will write about it in a future blog post.

Supplies Used:
Skating By stamp set
Aqua Painters
Black Staz On ink
Real Red, Hello Honey, Basic Gray (retired), & Island Indigo Classic inks
Black, Blushing Bride & So Saffron markers
Big Shot
Lucky Stars embossing folder
Crystal Effects
Water Color paper
Whisper White & Hello Honey card stock

Next week I will have another card featuring the guitar from this fun stamp set.

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Watercolor Backgrounds

We are featuring cards with watercoloring today on the SSInkspiration Blog. I love how easy it is to use my Stampin' Up! ink pads to watercolor backgrounds for cards. First you squeeze the center of your closed ink pad, flip the lid, and then you have a nice little palette.

I watercolored the background for today's card with Pear Pizzazz, Crushed Curry, and Lost Lagoon since I love these 3 colors. I liked the background, but I wanted to stamp some dots on the bottom. I stamped them and then thought that I ruined my card. They were crooked and did not look right. I started by adding a little water to soften them. When you make a mistake on a card do you try to fix it or scrap the card?

Tip: You can usually fix a mistake on a card with some creative layering. I pushed through with this card by layering the greeting and butterfly to cover some of the dots.

Supplies Used:
Big Shot
Crazy About You Bundle
Perfect Pennants Stamp Set
Elegant Butterfly Punch
Rhinestones
Watercolor Paper
Lost Lagoon & Whisper White Card Stock
Lost Lagoon, Crushed Curry, & Pear Pizzazz Inks
Aqua Painters

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Stars & Stripes

One of my uplines, Jennifer, posed a challenge to our demonstrator group to make a card with Stars and Stripes. Even as we pass the 4th of July holiday, this is a fun pattern to use on cards, including birthday cards.

Tip: The Scalloped Tag Topper Punch works with 2 inch strips of card stock and paper. You can decide the length of the paper, so this punch is really versatile. You can make tags for cards like the one I made, and you can make longer bookmarks.

Supplies Used:
Big Shot
Lucky Stars Embossing Folder
Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, and Whisper White Card Stock
Crushed Curry and Crumb Cake Ink Pads
Gorgeous Grunge and Perfect Pennants Stamp sets
Scalloped Tag Topper Punch
Natural Chevron 5/8" Ribbon


How was your holiday? Many of the Bay Area fireworks were cancelled due to the drought, including the ones closest to us. We joined some friends for smaller fireworks and had a fun evening with sparklers, glow sticks, and "legal" fireworks.



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Product Focus: Embossing Folders

Happy Friday! Welcome to my first card for Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration. Embossing folders are one of my favorite products from Stampin' Up! since they can add great texture to your cards and projects. For today's card I used three embossing folders: Brick Wall, Decorative Dots, and Lucky Stars.

Tip: Keep a scrap basket. I knew that I wanted to use the Brick Wall folder to emboss Whisper White card stock, but I did know which other colors to use for the card. I went to my scrap basket where I found Real Red, Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey, and Soft Sky card stock. I find it helpful to keep my scraps, but I do clear out extras every couple of months.

Supplies Used:
Big Shot
Brick Wall, Decorative Dots, and Lucky Stars Embossing Folders
Banners Framelits Dies
Amazing Birthday and Crazy About You Stamp Sets
Hello Honey and Lost Lagoon Inks
Whisper White, Real Red, Lost Lagoon, Soft Sky, and Hello Honey Card Stock
Whisper White Baker's Twine
1 Inch Circle and Banner Punches

What is your favorite embossing filer from Stampin' Up!? Leave me a commit below and check out the Textured Boutique Machine on the Clearance Rack (only $14.99 while supplies last) to add quick and easy embossing to your cards.

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Birthday Wishes

It's my birthday! I don't know if I will do any crafting today, but I am excited to spend the day with my family. Are you following me on Instagram? I will probably post some pictures there from our excursion.

I have a quick and easy birthday card to share using the Build a Birthday stamp set and Cherry on Top washi tape. As a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I had the opportunity to pre-order these products before the catalog was released. They were the first items on my wish list, and I am still happy with these products.

Tip: Use your washi tape or designer series paper to choose great color combinations. The colors are listed in the catalog, so keep yours handy while you craft. I love the combination of Pool Party and Watermelon Wonder!

Suplies Used:
Whisper White, Watermelon Wonder, & Pool Party card stock
Build a Birthday stamp set
Cherry on Top washi tape
Crushed Curry ink pad
2015-2017 In Color markers

Do you have a wish list of Stampin' Up! products? You will receive 2 FREE stamp sets if you join Stampin' Up! by 6/30/15. Click here to customize your starter kit for $99.

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In Color Masculine Card

Choosing colors plays a role in making a card more feminine, masculine, or neutral. When I started using the 2015-2017 In Colors, I knew that Tip Top Taupe and Delightful Dijon will be great for masculine cards. I also wanted to use some die cuts on a monochromatic background for a faux embossed look. This card came together quickly, and I sent it to a fellow member of the Fun 'n Crafty Stampers in May for our monthly card swap.

Tip: I used the Tip Top Taupe Stampin' Write Marker to only ink up park of my "birthday wishes" stamp from the Build a birthday set. Markers are a great way to customize your stamps.

Supplies Used:
Tip Top Taupe, Delightful Dijon, & Whisper White Card Stock
Big Shot
Hello You Thinlits
Extra Large Oval Punch
Decorative Dots Embossing Folder
Tip Top Taupe Marker
Build a Birthday Stamp Set

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